PEG-based bioresponsive hydrogels with redox-mediated formation and degradation

A hydrogel which will undergo macroscopic transition responding to redox stimuli is prepared. Mercapto precursors are prepared from 4-armed polyethylene glycol and after deprotection of thiolate anions, they can transform into disulfide crosslinked hydrogels within 3 min by responding to oxidant H₂O₂. Desirable elasticity is exhibited with a wide range of storage modulus from 50 Pa to 14 kPa through rheological investigation. In addition, the hydrogels are found to be hydrolytically stable but degrade within 75 days when exposed to reductant such as glutathione (GSH). So gelation time and degradation behavior can be regulated by concentrations of precursor, oxidant, reductant, temperature, and pH value. Notably, interest arises from the long-period degradation under low GSH concentration of 0.01 mM that is similar to extracellular level, but not the fast disintegration under high concentration intracellular, providing the possibility of “smart” degradation responding to those cell-secreted biomacromolecules during the process of tissue regeneration. Furthermore, both hydrogels and their degradation products show cell viability above 90% culturing with C2C12 cells, representing nontoxic properties. Such a stimuli-responsive degradation strategy will give promising application in tissue repair and regeneration; especially enable the achievement of matching the degradation kinetics with physiological environment.